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ASU has lost three wide receivers, its long snapper, a cornerback and a running back, making it the perfect time for a break.

Alabama State will be off this week before heading back on the road for a date with defending SWAC East champion Alcorn State on Oct. 6.

"The main thing is staying throughout this whole process and just looking forward to the next week," Gray said. "We're really trying to focus on us. We have to focus on the things that can be fixed on the field."

The man that's trying to keep it all together, Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley, remains upbeat and focused on the team's goals.

The Hornets are now 1-3 overall and 0-1 in SWAC play, but a win at Alcorn would place the Hornets in the driver's seat for a possible trip to the SWAC title game in Birmingham on Dec. 1.

This bye week is about more than just getting healthy.

Alabama State head coach Donald Hill-Eley shakes hands with players after the game against Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018. Auburn defeated Alabama State 63-9. (Photo: Jake Crandall)

"We had six true freshmen playing in games last week," Hill-Eley said. "We have to get healthy and we have to identify a new list of players. It's not like we're going to surrender. We'll be fine. We'll have to find out what the guys can do."

Gray has emerged as one of the team's leaders, but said he's now focusing on being more vocal in the locker room.

Gray leads the team with 212 rushing yards and 332 kick return yards while also being tied for third with six receptions.

"It has definitely been a blessing to be able to perform the way that I have been performing," Gray said. "I have really been working hard and trying to keep my head down and stay patient with the process. But in this drought we have been in it has called for some vocal leadership from me."

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Alabama State running back Ezra Gray had 130 rushing yards in the Hornets' 34-0 loss at Grambling State last Saturday.
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Hill-Eley said the work on Alcorn State (3-1, 1-0) won't really start until the work on Alabama State is finished.

The last time the Hornets visited the Braves in 2016, a blocked field goal in the final seconds led to a 21-18 loss for Alabama State.

They'll have the chance to watch film on Alcorn after the Braves host Southern on Saturday.

"I'm in the process of rebuilding the team mid-season," Hill-Eley said. "We have to identify guys that can go in to Alcorn and match the effort that they are going to receive as they arrive down there.

"Alcorn plays hard. As we say, they play hard back on the reservation. They were picked first and we were picked second in the East. We know it’s going to be a competition in hostile territory to win a football game."

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Alabama State players await a message from head coach Donald-Hill Eley.(Photo: Kamarri Darrington/Advertiser)